The North South Corridor Alliance and its over 500 petition supporters are greatly disappointed, frustrated and saddened that for nearly 30 years we have been passionately fighting this “Road to Nowhere,” and have gotten no logical answers to the Kansas Expressway Extension location.
In 2017 after we were alerted to the progress on the Kansas Expressway Extension Project and the projected start date and timeline; and, after nothing being done for many, many years, we rallied and spoke to the neighborhoods that would be affected by the Kansas Expressway Extension. We were stunned at the number of property owners not only in the affected areas, but also throughout Springfield and Greene County that were vehemently against this roadway extension through a very populated area. It makes no sense to increase traffic on 2 lane very hilly roads that are narrow and surrounded with access driveways and 15 mph speeds. The proposed traffic increase is extremely dangerous and not the best location or design for any extension in this location.
We even met with the Greene County Commissioners last summer in August to present our concerns but to no avail. Over 50 of us attended that meeting, with the consensus being that the Commissioners present at the meeting had no control over the issue. Over 200 people sent letters to the Greene County Presiding Commissioner Bob Cirtin expressing their dismay over the KE extension. His response basically was “it is what it is.”
We the People have spoken and it didn’t matter!
In 2017 after we were alerted to the progress on the Kansas Expressway Extension Project and the projected start date and timeline; and, after nothing being done for many, many years, we rallied and spoke to the neighborhoods that would be affected by the Kansas Expressway Extension. We were stunned at the number of property owners not only in the affected areas, but also throughout Springfield and Greene County that were vehemently against this roadway extension through a very populated area. It makes no sense to increase traffic on 2 lane very hilly roads that are narrow and surrounded with access driveways and 15 mph speeds. The proposed traffic increase is extremely dangerous and not the best location or design for any extension in this location.
We even met with the Greene County Commissioners last summer in August to present our concerns but to no avail. Over 50 of us attended that meeting, with the consensus being that the Commissioners present at the meeting had no control over the issue. Over 200 people sent letters to the Greene County Presiding Commissioner Bob Cirtin expressing their dismay over the KE extension. His response basically was “it is what it is.”
We the People have spoken and it didn’t matter!
This is the traffic congestion at Wanda Gray Elementary during pickup and drop off for students. This road will add traffic to this congestion endangering the lives of children and families.
The North South Corridor Alliance would like to thank Presiding Commissioner Bob Cirtin and Commissioner Harold Bengsch for the opportunity to speak at the Greene County Commissioners meeting on Monday, August 7, 2017. There were approximately 50 North South Corridor Alliance supporters that attended to show their opposition to the Kansas Expressway Extension. For many of them, this was the first time that they had ever been to a Commissioners meeting.
Jane Paul, Chair, gave the opening remarks. She told of the beginnings of the North South Corridor Alliance, the fact that we had over 500 Petition signers…in less than a month… opposing the Kansas Expressway Extension. She also shared the fact that over 800 flyers had been personally distributed and nearly 100 of those residents had been personally spoken to informing them of the status of this road and some of the inconsistencies of what we were told, and what is actually proposed to happen. She shared with the Commissioners and the audience the increased traffic numbers that Weaver Road and Plainview Road will experience. In summary, Jane said that the” North South Corridor Alliance plans to fight this Road until it is no longer a viable option for a north-south corridor. We have NO plans of fading into the woodwork.”
The next speaker was Peggy Hedgpeth, a property owner that spoke for her and her husband Roger. She shared as to how they had been extremely negative impacted since 1997. From them losing their home to Greene County for the Kansas Expressway Extension, to having been told many untruths that left them moving from their home that was to be demolished to moving back in and then moving back out over a 10 year period. The house was finally demolished almost 16 years ago.
Doug Pitt then spoke and shared with the Commissioners and the audience what was wrong this Road. He spoke the longest and laid it all out, stressing the flawed Environmental Impact Assessment and the increase in traffic on Weaver and Plainview Roads among many other issues. He had many documents to back up his statements.
Next the Greene County Highway Department representative, as well as MODOT, the lead Engineer, and the OTO spoke on behalf of the Kansas Expressway extension. It was obvious that these individuals are not decision makers in this matter, but only employees following their superiors’ orders.
I’m positive that the majority of the North South Corridor Alliance came away knowing that we had put our best foot forward, explaining our concerns to the Commissioners, and hopeful that there will be a positive outcome from the meeting. Our goal is to continue this conversation with Bob Cirtin, Harold Bengsch and Lincoln Hough (who was unable to attend the meeting). We are also prepared to getting in touch with our state senators, Jay Wasson and Bob Dixon, as well as our local state representative, Elijah Haahr.
Jane Paul, Chair, gave the opening remarks. She told of the beginnings of the North South Corridor Alliance, the fact that we had over 500 Petition signers…in less than a month… opposing the Kansas Expressway Extension. She also shared the fact that over 800 flyers had been personally distributed and nearly 100 of those residents had been personally spoken to informing them of the status of this road and some of the inconsistencies of what we were told, and what is actually proposed to happen. She shared with the Commissioners and the audience the increased traffic numbers that Weaver Road and Plainview Road will experience. In summary, Jane said that the” North South Corridor Alliance plans to fight this Road until it is no longer a viable option for a north-south corridor. We have NO plans of fading into the woodwork.”
The next speaker was Peggy Hedgpeth, a property owner that spoke for her and her husband Roger. She shared as to how they had been extremely negative impacted since 1997. From them losing their home to Greene County for the Kansas Expressway Extension, to having been told many untruths that left them moving from their home that was to be demolished to moving back in and then moving back out over a 10 year period. The house was finally demolished almost 16 years ago.
Doug Pitt then spoke and shared with the Commissioners and the audience what was wrong this Road. He spoke the longest and laid it all out, stressing the flawed Environmental Impact Assessment and the increase in traffic on Weaver and Plainview Roads among many other issues. He had many documents to back up his statements.
Next the Greene County Highway Department representative, as well as MODOT, the lead Engineer, and the OTO spoke on behalf of the Kansas Expressway extension. It was obvious that these individuals are not decision makers in this matter, but only employees following their superiors’ orders.
I’m positive that the majority of the North South Corridor Alliance came away knowing that we had put our best foot forward, explaining our concerns to the Commissioners, and hopeful that there will be a positive outcome from the meeting. Our goal is to continue this conversation with Bob Cirtin, Harold Bengsch and Lincoln Hough (who was unable to attend the meeting). We are also prepared to getting in touch with our state senators, Jay Wasson and Bob Dixon, as well as our local state representative, Elijah Haahr.
Thank you News-Leader and Springfield Business Journal for the recent articles.
The latest update on the endangered bats that we have found in the area.
www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2019/06/13/kansas-expressway-extension-project-update-endangered-bats/3751666002/?fbclid=IwAR2z-HqZ78B3aV8Uj5RFTtIlaVr2EHqe4ytn7JSfWS_TisjphT8wOgj8XCk
www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2019/06/13/kansas-expressway-extension-project-update-endangered-bats/3751666002/?fbclid=IwAR2z-HqZ78B3aV8Uj5RFTtIlaVr2EHqe4ytn7JSfWS_TisjphT8wOgj8XCk